Game-board.



W. L.'DEMING.

GAME BOARD. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1910.

Patented Mar. 7, 1911 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v JUL/527127.2-

W. L. DEMING.

GAME BOARD. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2, 1910.

Patented Mar. 7, 1911 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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a a m UNITED STATES WILLIAM L. DEMING', OF SALEM, OHIO.

GAME-BOARD.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. DEMING,

.a. citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, in the county of Columbiana and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Game-Boards, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to games, and more especially to adevice that is adapted for use in playing-a game that combines some of the features of billiards with those of bowling, the game being played with a billiard one and balls or with mallets and balls, said balls being used for striking bowling pins.

. The object of the invention, therefore, is the production of a table or board upon which the balls are adapted to roll. and upon which the bowling pins are adapted to be set, said board being specially designed to meet the requirements of the rules which are adopted for the game, and which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

A further object of the inventionis to adapt the device for secure attachment toa suitable table, whereby it will be held in position, and to adapt the same for holding the bowling pins and for-conducting the billiard balls from the rear to the front end of the table.

A further object ofthe invention is to combine with the features set forth a chance indicating wheel, the same being adapted to be turned when the ball strikes in a con tain position, the amount indicated on said wheel being then added to the accumulated score of the player;

Further objects of the invention will be set forth inthe following description of the structure shown in the drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 are a top plan view and a bottom plan'view respectively of-what is at present the preferred embodiment of my invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective View of.

one of the holders forthe bowling pins, the same being detached from the game board; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of F ig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially through the center of the game board, said view also showing the manner in which the board may be supported upon and attached to l a table; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken'on' the line 66 of Fig. 5, and looking in the :direction of the arrows; Fig. 7 is 'a view showing the chance wheel or indicator, the pneumatic bulb for operating the same, and

' Patented Mar. "4, 1311. Application filed May 2, 1910. Serial No. 558,899.

the mechanism by which the wheel may be attached to the game board, Fig. 8 is asectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a view of a portion of the means for attaching the game board to the table; and Figs. 10 and 11 are sections taken through Fig. 9 on the lines 10-10 and 1111, respectively.

The game is played upon a board having that part of its upper surface on which the balls roll lying in a horizontal plane. The central portion 1 of this board has its side edges parallel and bounded by rubber or elastic cushions 2 and 2 In front of the central portion 1 is the, part 3 of the board, the same flaring outwardly into ashape somewhat resembling a fan, the front edge of the board being preferably scalloped, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for a purpose hereinafter specified. board is of such thickness as to permit of a depressed channel or gutter t along'its edges at the rear of the cushions, the part- 5 of the board between said gutters and at the rear of the cushions lying in the same plane as the parts 1 and .3 of the board. The outer edges of the gutters are substantially con tinuous with the edges of the part 1, so that the board has its sides parallel throughout the parts 1 and 5, except that, at the rear corners, the board is provided with outwardly projecting extensions 6, the same being preferably rounded, as shown, and being tangentially joined to the side edges and to the curved rear end of the board, the curvature of said end being in a forward direction, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Projecting upwardly from the board, and forming a wall about the latter, is a flange 7, said flange precisely conforming in shape with the edges of the board and having the scallops at its front end and the rounded portions at the rear corners. The purpose As shown in F ig.- 5, the

of this wall is to support the cushions 2 and I the board and along- The part 5 of the board terminates at its rearward end some distance in front of the rear end 7 of the wall 7, so as to provide a space at the rear of the upper surface of the board, said space lying in substantially the same plane as the floor ofthe gutters 4 and 4. This space at the rear of the part 5 is divided by low walls 11 into a series of stalls or compartments, the same being designated 4 4, r at and 1 respectively. The gutters 1 and 4* extend rearwardly into the rounded projections 6 at the corners of the board, being turned outwardly into said corners, where the floors of the gutters are provided with openings 12 and 12 through which the balls may drop into tube conveyers 13 (see Fig. 5) that extend from said openings forwardly and at a downward incline to a receiving box 14 below the front end of the board. This box is pivoted at 15 V to a cleat 16 below the part 3 of the board,

and is adapted to swing upwardly beneath and against the front part of the latter, in which position it maybe held by a latch 17 that engages with a keeper 18 on the board. For holding the box in the inclined position shown in Fi 5, bracket arms 19, suspended from the lower side of the table, engage over pins at the ends of the box, said arms being provided with slots through which the pins on the box project, the arms being pivoted to the board at such points as to cause them to fold beneath the board as the box is Iswung upwardly. IVithin the box 1 1 is a compartment for the bowling pins :20, said compartment being spaced from the side and fron' walls of the box 1 1 so as to permit the balls to pass around the said compartment to the-front of the box, where they may be more easily reached by the player.

In addition to the cleat 16 below the board, I extend other cleats 16 and 16 transversely of the board; and, adjacent the side edges of the board, I extend longitudinal cleats 16 and 16, the lower edges of all of these'cleats lying in the same plane and forming a'support for the board, said cleats being adapted to rest upon any suitablesupport, as a table, such a table being indicated at 21. The specific means for se curing the board to the table will be hereinafter described. i

For the purpose of adding zest to the game, I choose to combine with the board a chance device which is adapted to be op erated by the ball, the rules of the game requiring that the 'ball shall first knock down a pin in order to entitle the player to the benefits of, the extra score indicated by this device. I therefore attach to the rear end of the board, andpreferably at its transverscenterfan indicating" wheel, the same con-- sisting of a hlib'22 and a central web 25%. at the outer edge of which is a band 24;. having numbers '25 impressed on the outside thercoi in any suitable manner. This wheel is inclosed within a casing 26, the same having a rca-dii'lg aperture 27 through which the numbers 25 may be seen. The wheel is journaled upon pins or screws 28 that project-,ilr wardly through the arms 25) of a bracket 30, said bracket having secured to its lower and forward edge a tapered plate 31, said plate being adapted to lie in the bottom of the stall or coi'npartment t of the board. As shown in Fig. 5, the plate 31 is adapted to be pushed forwardly into av recess at the front edge of the stall 1, the engagement of the front edge of the plate in said groove assisting in holding the bracket and the wheel in position. For further holding this bracket, I secure to the rear edge ot'the table an. angle member Fig. 7, that is adapted to be projected into an opening in the lower edge of the bracket 30 when the plate 31 is drawn rearwardly, such rearward movement being insullicicnt to draw the plate entirely from the recess in the front of the stall 4F. Beingthus engaged 'both at its front and rear ends, the plate 31 and the bracket are held to the board, and may be locked thereto by a pin 33 that is guided in the bracket 30 and is adapted to be inserted through an opening in the angle member 5552, as shown in Fig. 7. i

For turning the wheel, I secure to the front face of the bracket 30 a pneumatic bulb 3 1, the same being held around its edges by a plate so as to prevent leakage. Extending through the bracket 30 and leading from the interior of the bulb .to the interior of the casing 26 are ports 36, said ports open ing at their rear ends toward the central web 23 of the wheel and being so shaped as to direct the air substantially normal to vanes 37 on the sides of the web 93. As thus constructed, the compression of the bulb 3 1 results in directing a pull of air normally. against the surface of the IlfljilCQIli' vane 37,

thus giving the wheel a turn, the extent of which is dependent upon the amount the bulb has bceincompressed.

As will be seen from Fig. l, the front end oi. the board and ot' the wall 7 is provided with as many scallops as there a re c unbincd. stalls and gutters at the rear end of the board, the drawings showing seren of said scallops which I shall designate 38, 38, 23S", 33, 38, 3S and 35s, said designations corrosponding with the designations of said compartmenl'is and gutters. Those scallops, therefore, serve to mark olii' the front end ol the board 5 'o as many divisions as are pro- 1 the rear by the gutters and stalls. Y \ile the players may choose their own rules of the game, and no arbitrary rules are intended lobc laid down, the following rules will serve to illudralc the purpose of lln. parts lu-ri-inlwl'oro i-ol crrctl to: The bowling us, whirl; are pr l u'a ly ten in lill) number, are arranged at the rear end of the art 5 of the boardin the positions indicated y the small circles 20 said arrangement of pins corresponding with the arrangement of the pins on the bowling alley. The player takes a ball and places the same on the part 3 of the board in the division in front of any chosen scallop. With a one or mallet he then plays the ball down the board, the object being to knock down as many pins as possible, thereby scoring in the usual manner of playing the bowling game. Each player for each frame or-inning of the game is entitled tothree b'alls, (or two as is usual in bowling). In the second and third plays of the frame, however, he does not have the choice of location of the ball, but must select the divison at the front end of the board that. corresponds to the stall or gutter in which the ball of the preceding play finally came to rest. That is to say, if the first ball. knocked down all the pins with the exception of the one in front of stall at, and the ball came to rest. in gutter at, the next ball played must be, started from the divison in front of scallop 38. In this position the player cannot send the ball directly toward the rei'naining pin, but he must play it against the cushion 2, from which cushion the ball may strike the pin. If this ball should miss the pin and come to rest in stall t, the third ball of that frame will be played from the division in front of scallop 38 in which position the player will have a direct shot at. the pin. As stated, the pins knocked down may count the same as in the game of bowling; and, to add interest, the chance device may also assist inthe scoring when the ball strikes the bulb 34. This can only count, however, when a pin has been knocked down with that ball in the same play. That is to'say, if the ball has first knocked. over a pin and then caroms from the same against the bulb, the player adds to the score to which he is entitled by reason of havii'ig knocked down the pin, the additional amount indicated on the chance Wheel.

During the play, it is desirable to have some placein which to deposit the pins as they are removed from the board; and, for that purpose, I attach to some convenient part, as to the cleats 1 and 16", hooks 3,, Fig. 4) upon which bags of canvas, leather or other suitable material all) may be at taehed, one of said bags being shown in Fig. 3. Each of these bags adapted to hold all ten of the pins; and, for the purpose of strengthening the bags and holding the latter in their proper shape, I prefer to divide the same by a central partition 41.

For storing the netting-8 with its posts fl, and for also storing, if desired, the chance device, I provide at the rear of the board and below the latter a box 42, the same hav-.

ing its rear side pivoted at its lower edge, said side being held in its closed position by a suitable form of catch.

While the cleats 16 to 16 below the board may merely rest upon the table, I prefer to secure the board to the table so as to prevent accidental jarring of the same while playing. F or this purpose, therefore, I secure in bearings 43 on the cross cleat 16*, a sleeve &4, said sleeve having therein a shaft or rod 45 from which project threaded arms or studs 46. Upon these arms are screwed nnts l7. The table 21 shown in the drawings is of the type known as extension tables, the top of which may, of course, be separated by drawing the table apart.

The arms 46 are adapted to extend downwardly between the separated parts of the table and between the cleats 48 below the table top (see Fig. The table then be- .ing closed against the arms 46,the nuts d7 may be-screwed upwardly so as to clamp the board securely to the table, washers preferablybeing interposed between the nuts and the adjacent parts of the table. When .it is desired to remove the board from the table, the latter may be again extended so as to release the arms -16, and the arms may then be turned upwardly against. the lower side of the board by turning the shaft-l5, milled heads 49 being provided at the ends of the shaft for this purpose. For holding the' arms in either of their positions, these heads are each provided with a key 50 that is adapted to be inserted into a key-way 51 in the corresponding end of the slceve ll. Thus, in Fig. 9, the arms 46 are shown depending in position for being securcd to the table; but by turning the head 14:9 and the shaft through substantially ninety degrees, the key 50 is brought opposite the key-way 5t, and the shaft may then be thrust lengthwise until the key enters the key-way 51, in which position the arms 46 are held in their elevated positions.

Various changes in the details of the construction described may bc,madc without (ileparl'ing from the spirit. of my invention, and I desire it. to be understood that the following claims are not intended to be limited to such details airy'jl'urlher than is made necessary by the specific terms therein employed. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: I

i. In a device of the character described.

a board having a pluralilv of divisions 2. In a. device of the character described, a board. having its liront end provided with a plurality of scallops forming compart side and its rear end provided with a gutter at each of its sides and with a plurality of stalls between the gutters, the combined gutters and stalls equaling in number the number of said divisions, a return pipe for balls extending troin each of the gutters toward the forward part of the board and be low the same, and a receptacle for the balls at the forward ends of said pipe, for the purpose specified;

1-. In a device of the character described, a board having parallel side edges extending throughout the greater length of the board, said side edges toward the front end of the board flaring outwardly and forming this end of the board into a tan shape, the forward edge of the board being scalloped and the rear ends of the side edges being curved, a wall extending about the edges of the board, and cushions carried by the side walls intermediate the rounded rear ends and the :lfanshaped portion of the board, for the purpose specified.

3. In a device of the character described, a board having a lur:.llty of divisions arranged side by side at its front end and an equal. number of similarly arranged. division}; at its rear end, said board having a flat upper surjlacc iuternu diale its ends upon which pins may stand and balls may roll. a wall surrminding the said board, and-a chance device mounted upon said hoard in position to he struck by the balls, for the purpose specified.

(1. in a device of the character described, a board having a plurality of divisions arranged sidiby side at its front. end and an equal' number olf similarly arranged divisions at. its rear end. a wall surroulnling the board at its edges. cushions on the side portions of the wall intermediate the ends of the board, and a. chance device mounted upon the board in position to be struck by the balls on the board, for the purpose specified.

T. ln :1 device of the character described, a board having :1 [lat upper surface upon which pins may stand and balls may roll, a wall sun'roundi-ng the said board, a pncu malic bulb n'uiccliiig lorward Tit said wall in position to be struck" by the balls rolling upon the board. a. chance wheel, and means int-losing air passages connecting the wheel may be turned when. a ball strikes the bulb, for the purpose specified.

f). In a device of the charzuzter described, a board having a daring front end and projecting rounded rear corners, gutters formed along the sides of the lioard and extending forwardly from said rounded corners, a plurality of divisions at the rear of. the board between said gutters, a pneumatic bulb at the rear portion of the center division, :1. chance wheel, means inclosing air passages connecting the bulb with the said wheel whereby the latter may be turned when a ball strikes the bulb, return tubes connected with the said rounded corners of the board and extending forwardly, and areceptacle 'for the balls below the board and near the front end of the latter with which the said return tubes connect, tor the purpose speci tied.

10. In a device of the character described, a board having a flat upper surface upon which pins may stand and. balls may roll, a wall surrounding the edges of the said board, transverse cleats extending across the rear side ott'he board. longittulinal. cleats connecting the ends of the tansvcrse cleats, the lower edges of said cleats lying in the same plane whereby the board may be supported upon a table, and means carried by one of said cleats tor securing the board to the table. For the purpose specified.

J1. in a device of the character described, a board having a flat upper surface upon which pins may stand and balls may roll, a wall surronding the edges of said board, transverse and longitudinal cleats on. the lower side of the saidlmard, the lower edges of said cleats lying in the same plane whereby the board may rest flat upon a table, a roclcshat't journalcd below the said board, threadt-al arms projecting from said shaft, nuts on the said arms, and means for holding the shaft in two positions whereby the arms may be extended outwardly from the board or may be held folded against the botltom ot the board, for the purpose specilltt 1'2. In a device of the character described, I a. board having a. Hat upper surface upon which pins may stand and balls niay'roll, longitudinal and transverse cleats on the lower side 01: the said table, the lower edges of said. cleats lying in the same plane where-- by the board may rest fiat upon a table, a sleeve, carried by one of the transverse cleats, a shaft journaled in the said sleeve, said shaft. being capable of rotary and longitudinal movement in the sleeve, arm's secured to said shaft and projecting through said sleeve, said arms being threaded and provided With nuts, and a key on the said shaft, said key being adapted to be inserted in a key-Way in the end of the sleeve, whereby the shaft may be turned with the arms thereon projecting for securing the board to a table or it may be turned with the arms folded under the board and held in the latter posit-ion by moving the shaft longitudinally until the key thereon enters the slot in the sleeve, for the purpose specified,

13. In a device of the character described, a board having a fiat upper surface upon which pins may stand and balls may roll, a wall surrounding the edges of said board,

the upper surface of the board being olepressed atand forward of its rear corners, there being openings through the board at the rear corners, return tubes extending from the said openings fonvardly beneath the table through which tubes the halls may roll, a box pivoted below the table at the forward ends of said tube to receive the balls, and means'for holding the said box in a closed position against the bottom of the board or for holding the same in an open position, substantially as described.

1.4-. In a derice of the character described, a board having a flat upper surface upon which pins may stand and balls may roll, longitudinal and transverse cleats on the lower side of the said table, the lower edges of said cleats lying in the same plane where by the board may rest flat upon a table, a wall surrounding the said board, the board being depressed at and forwardly of its rear corners so to form gutters for the balls, the gutters having openings near their rear ends, tubes having open ends below the said openings in the gutters and extending forwardly beneath the board, said tubes be ing adapted to return the balls, from the gutters to the front of the table, a box for receiving the balls at the forward ends of said tubes,- a latch for holding the box closed against the bottom of the board, and slotted links pivoted to the bottom t the board, the table having pins projecting through said links for snpptnriing the box in an open position, for the PI'HYPOSG specified.

in tcslinmny whereof, hereunto alli); my signature in the )resence of two .ritnesses.

llglLlllIAlii' L. DIEMING.

d itnesses S. l1 Fours, Burns 3: B. lVEs'r. 

